Resistance Training Keeps Anxiety at Bay

"Exercise is the chief source of improvement in our faculties." Hugh Blair

People who exercise, reap its benefits. Those who do not, suffer a decline in health in later years. Exercise is essential for a healthy body and a sound mind. As underlined by Hugh Blair, one of the most well-known theorists of literature, exercise is one of the best sources for improving one's mental faculties. The benefits of daily exercise on psychosocial health have been highlighted by many studies. However, most studies have focused primarily on aerobic exercises and not on strength or resistance training.

Resistance exercise as the name implies means building one's endurance, strength and stamina by engaging the skeletal muscles. While it is well known that resistance exercise training (RET) is beneficial for cardiovascular and bone health, a recent study has claimed that RET has psychological benefits as well.

According to the study, people who undertook resistance training like weight lifting, were less likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is an extremely debilitating condition that afflicts 40 million adults in the United States. Regardless of whether an individual has a mental disorder or not, RET has been linked with the lessening of anxiety symptoms. Some of the common tools of RET include:

Dumbbells

Kettlebells

Resistance bands

Pilates resistance bands

Stability ball

Weights

One's own body weight

Water bottles

RET: A cost-effective tool for reducing anxiety

The white matter in the brain functions like a subway. It enables the quick transmission of messages to and fro from different regions of the brain. When white matter shrinks due to either age or a degenerative brain disease, the messages are not transmitted as quickly as they are supposed to be because of cognitive decline.

Brett Gordon, a physical education and sports researcher at the University of Limerick in Ireland, "RET (resistance exercise training) significantly reduced anxiety in both healthy participants and those with a physical or mental illness, and the effect size of these reductions is comparable to that of frontline treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy."

The impact of resistance training or strength training on brain functioning is still shrouded in mystery. The emerging studies do point to the fact that resistance training leads to less shrinkage of white matter in the brain. According to Dianna Purvis Jaffin, Brain Performance Institute, University of Texas, it is also quite possible that such exercises serve as a distraction. With less focus on the future, or the anxiety symptoms, an individual is able to concentrate on his or her present.

One need not engage expensive trainers or work out in gyms to reap the benefits of resistance training. Simple practices, such as taking the stairs instead of the escalator, are some of the effective means for working out the skeletal muscles. One could also take the help of a skipping rope, the cheapest and the most effective way of getting an enduring workout. In place of dumbbells or kettlebells, one could use water bottles or one's own body weight. Any form of exercise, whether it is a simple walk in the park or Pilates, empowers a person and makes him or her more self-efficient.

Overcome anxiety disorders

It is but likely for individuals living with an anxiety disorder to be frustrated and annoyed with their lives, but one can keep the trepidations, stress and anxiety under control with timely treatment. Regular exercise plays a crucial role in enhancing a person's overall well-being. Besides resistance training, other forms of exercise, and experiential therapies like yoga, meditation, etc., can also significantly improve any kind of mental disorder.

If you know someone who is suffering from anxiety, contact the Anxiety Treatment Help representatives to connect to state-of-the-art anxiety disorders treatment in Texas for holistic recovery. We can assist you in accessing the best treatments and procedures that can help you fight your fears, anguish and grief. Call at our 24/7 helpline 866-487-5015 to find out the best anxiety disorders treatment centers in Texas

Panic attacks and anxiety are definitely not incurable disorders. In fact, the cure of these disorders lie in some simple things you could do in your daily lives. There is no need of any pills or any other drugs. Read on and learn some effective anxiety self help techniques.

When you are working out you need to stretch your muscles first. Stretching should be the first activity before almost all physical activity. There are different types of stretching before work outs which accomplish different things.

Resistance exercise doesn't mean resistance to exercise! Instead, it's a type of exercise that has gained popularity over the last decade or so as researchers discover the many benefits it has to offer.

Until 4 decades ago, many athletes were being told to avoid resistance training apparently because it would reduce their athletic performance. We all understand the importance of the right strength & conditioning programs for athletes who would like to minimize their risk of injury.